Africa fashion’s future is not merely emerging, it has arrived – bold and innovative, claiming its rightful place on the global stage.

This reality resonated at the just concluded FashionEVO Summit & Show 2025, which held at the Africa Creative Market in Lagos, where talented designers and industry innovators from across Africa and beyond gathered to celebrate the African creativity, commerce, and community rising throughout the global fashion ecosystem.

With the theme, ‘Creative Bridge: Bridging Creativity, Community, and Commerce in Africa’s Fashion Future’, the summit reinforced the brand’s mission to elevate African fashion as a global powerhouse while highlighting the sector’s vast potential for economic transformation and cultural influence.

Panel discussions examined cross-border collaboration in African fashion, exploring how partnerships can amplify individual designers’ reach while preserving authentic cultural narratives.

Notable speakers include Creative Director, IFFIZI, Sandra Alonge; Founder, FAB L’Style Magazine, Harriet Hala Kahuzu; among others, who spoke about Pan-African fashion.

The importance of education in shaping future designers and the transformation of supply chains in our digital era were also key topics, with insights from industry luminaries such as Blessing Azubike of CcHub, Achu Blessing Ebere of 360 Creative Innovation Hub, Sola Babatunde of OSC Group, and Emmy Collins of Emmy Collins London.

Founder and Convener of FashionEVO Dr. Yetty Ogunnubi, said: “FashionEVO was conceived as more than just a platform. It is a bridge connecting creativity with commerce, vision with opportunity, and Africa with the world. This year’s event affirms that African fashion is not just thriving; it is setting new global standards, driven by innovation, resilience, and an unwavering cultural identity.”

Also, remarking, Convener, Africa Creative Market, Dr. Inya Lawal, said: “FashionEVO 2025 was fundamentally about forging meaningful connections between creativity and commerce, local artisans and global markets, and today’s established leaders and tomorrow’s visionary changemakers.”

Queen Ronke Ademiluyi-Ogunwusi of Adire Oodua Textile Hub & African Fashion Week London & Nigeria during her keynote speech highlighted the intersection of traditional craftsmanship and modern technological innovation.

The evening culminated in the prestigious FashionEVO Awards, which honoured trailblazers whose groundbreaking work continues to define and elevate Africa’s creative landscape. Honourees include Toke Benson, recipient of the Creative Economy Catalyst Award, Olori Aderonke Ademiluyi-Ogunwusi, honoured with the Queen Vanguard Award; Mrs. Femi Olayebi, recipient of the Ecosystem Builder Award, among others.